Svayamvara Parva

This is the 12th of the 100 Upa Parvas (Sections), situated in Adi Parva, the first of the 18 Maha Parvas (Books) of the original Mahabharata composed in Sanskrit by Vyasa. As the name suggests, this Upa Parva mainly describes the bridegroom choice of Draupadi. The Pandavas in disguise reach Panchala kingdom and live in a potter's house.

 The city is grandly decorated for the wedding of the princess, and all the kings and princes of the region arrive with the desire to win Draupadi. Dhrishtadyumna introduces all the assembled kings and princes, along with the conditions of winning Draupadi's hand. All assembled royalty fail in winning the contest. Krishna recognizes the Pandava princes, sitting amidst the Brahmins, in the assembly. When the warrior class fails the contest, Arjuna approaches the bow and hits the eye of a revolving fish high above, looking at its reflection in a pool of oil down. Draupadi puts the garland around Arjuna and
 chooses him as her husband. The Kshatriyas protest this, saying Draupadi should not be married to a Brahmin and king Drupada has deceived them. Bhima and Arjuna fight Shalya and Karna, respectively, in the ensuing battle. Kunti asks her sons to distribute among themselves the alms, and the five decide to marry Draupadi. Krishna and Balarama visit their aunt and her sons - the Pandavas - at the Potter's house. Dhrishtadyumna who followed them secretly, observes all this and is happy that his sister is married to the greatest archer Arjuna and the Pandavas are all alive.

The Upa Parva has a total of 223 Shlokas organized in 10 Chapters.  Click to See...

Posted in: